Many kids love playing games online and it is important to think about how online gaming can be a concern. From cyber bullying to excessive time spent playing games, to games encouraging children to pay for content. NCSC provide many resources to ensure children are using online gaming safely:
- Gaming: what parents and carers need to know
- Online gaming top tips for parents - Internet Matters
- Games console for your child: What you need to know | Internet Matters
- How to Ensure Your Children Stay Safe While Playing Online Games | NSPCC
NCSC provide online interactive resources to help young people growing up in the digital world to empower them to make smart decisions about staying secure online. CyberFirst Navigators is aimed at 11 to 14-year-olds and CyberSprinters is aimed at 7 to 11-year-olds.
CyberFirst Navigators
NCSC provide an interactive video learning resource for pre-teens and young teenagers, designed to raise awareness of the risks which come with using the web. It is aimed at 11 to 14-year-olds, to help them navigate the risks of online life. CyberFirst Navigators highlights some of the most common cyber scams and malicious activity that a pre-teen and teenage internet user might come across and empowers them to make choices to keep themselves more secure online.
CyberSprinters
These online security resources for 7 to 11-year-olds have a few different elements. There is a digital game which can be played on phone, tablet and desktop and is supported by activities to be led by educational practitioners. Check out the game.
There are also puzzles to solve at home with support from parents and carers, they can be used independently or to reinforce what children will have learnt by playing CyberSprinters.
Following the advice on this page will help you protect your own, your children and your organisation’s personal information when using social media accounts.